Acting on a request from the Board of Aldermen, Gerald’s Planning and Zoning Commission (P&Z) has spent the last several months working on a city plan.  A document was presented to the city council last Thursday, offering recommendations for the city which included the aggressive pursuit of grants for city improvements.

They recommend the following street goals: Develop a plan to improve sidewalks, curbs and gutters; continue to maintain city streets; pave all city streets; develop new street from Main Street west to Old Potosi Road. Suggestions for water and sewer concerns were as follows: Develop a storm water plan; add a third water tower on the south side of town; improve water lines to six inches in southwest part of town and address flooding on the highway near Legion Park.

The commission also recommended expanding the local rental property market and to facilitate new housing.

Safety concerns were addressed. These included working with MODOT to lower speed limit at west city limit and to develop a stray animal program for stray/aggressive dogs and feral cats.

To promote tourism, P&Z recommends adopting a previously proposed Main Street District plan and Bed and Breakfast guidelines. Designating a code enforcement officer and forcing clean up of derelict properties was also recommended. Developing a safe bike loop through town and providing safe highway crossings for cyclists also made the list.

Park improvements were also part of P&Z’s plan. Building a bathroom across the lake, developing a second park entrance and finishing the Veteran’s Memorial were suggested.

Should the Board of Aldermen choose to accept all the recommendations, most can be accomplished in the five-year time frame. A few may take longer, but can be well on their way in five years time. A couple of the projects have already been started and should be completed in a few months. The Board of Aldermen may choose to change the list by adding other items or deleting some of the recommendations.

The city plans to apply for a grant this fall to fund park improvements. This will undoubtedly bring more ideas for major improvements at City Park.